now and then
Seeing the North with Sankey project
Two photographs taken from the same viewpoint at different times in history.

Following on from our ‘Photo in Focus’ online exhibition which was launched in May, we’re inviting you to take part in a new online exhibition titled ‘Now and Then’. The project will showcase photographs taken by the Sankeys alongside a new photograph taken close to the same location by you.
Why Now and Then?
The Sankey’s extensively documented Barrow-in-Furness and the surrounding areas over a 70 year period. During that time they would have witnessed huge changes in the social and environmental landscape of Cumbria. 50 years on from the last images by the Sankey’s, many changes have taken place across Cumbria – buildings that were once there are now shopping centres or empty brownfield sites, whilst in contrast some places have remained relatively unchanged throughout. This project will allow us to see some of those changes or transformations.
There are many people around the world creating images like these to document how places have changed but this photo project has been requested by our awesome volunteers & supporters so we felt it might offer a fun opportunity to get creative whilst out and about on our lockdown walks.



how to get involved
HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE WHICH PHOTO?
HOW CAN I STAY SAFE?
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A FANCY CAMERA?
WHAT IF I NEED SOME TECHNICAL ADVICE?
HOW CAN I GET HOLD OF MY SANKEY REFERENCE PHOTO?
All image requests should be emailed to julia@signalfilmandmedia.co.uk with the subject heading: NOW & THEN photo request. You should receive a response within 3-5 working days to allow time for our team of volunteers to source a great photo for you.
We will be assigning a cap of 100 source images for this Now and Then project to ensure each photographic projects contains never-before-seen content. This project is 1 of many over a 2-year period and images will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
WHERE & HOW SHOULD I SEND MY PHOTOGRAPHS?
Please send your image to julia@signalfilmandmedia.co.uk in JPEG form (use WeTransfer if you need to). Please clearly indicate which name we should credit you as.
We hope to show these images for the first time as part of an online exhibition so please do not share them beforehand on social media.
when will the 'now and then' online exhibition launch?
This is not set in stone as it depends on the uptake of participants in this photo project but we hope to showcase these findings here on the Signal website towards the end of July!
Please let us know if you have any thoughts or ideas about what else you’d like to see over this 2-year project for the Sankey archive!
useful online links & resources





Before and After – an extensive website showing different before and after pictures around Barrow, including a few Sankey images too.
Index: http://barrowisland.xara.hosting/index.htm
A page: http://barrowisland.xara.hosting/before_after.htm
Then and now – a photographer reinterpreting photographs and paintings: http://www.photographersresource.co.uk/photography/comparative/photography_comparative.htm
Then and now: The Guardian Newspaper has an entire section dedicated to Then and Now images, you might find it an interesting resource to look at. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/series/photography-then-and-no
Project Photo – For those who are into apps – it helps you line up an old image with the scene you are photographing.
http://projectrephoto.com/projectRephoto
Tim Sankey Postcards
Over 2500 Sankey Postcards to be seen on this website